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Full-Text Indexing is a feature in SQL Server that allows SQL Server-based applications to execute full-text queries against character-based data in SQL Server databases. Full-text queries enable you to search for words, phrases or various forms of a specific word within a database. The use of Full-Text Indexing can make the search operation faster and more efficient.
Setting Up Full-Text Indexing
First, let’s explore the basic command on how to create a full-text catalog and a full-text index. Here is an example of creating a full-text catalog:
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CREATE FULLTEXT CATALOG ftCatalog AS DEFAULT; |
Now, let’s create a full-text index. We will assume that we are working with a database that contains a table called ‘Articles’ that has the columns ‘ArticleId’, ‘Title’, ‘Content’:
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CREATE FULLTEXT INDEX ON Articles ( Title LANGUAGE English, Content LANGUAGE English ) KEY INDEX PK_Articles ON ftCatalog WITH CHANGE_TRACKING AUTO; |
Using Full-Text Indexing
With the index in place, you can now perform full-text searches on the ‘Articles’ table. The following code will return any article that contains the word ‘SQL’ in the ‘Title’ or ‘Content’:
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SELECT * FROM Articles WHERE CONTAINS((Title, Content), 'SQL'); |
The CONTAINS keyword in SQL Server is used to support complex search criteria, including words, phrases and multiple forms of a word or phrase.
Updating and Maintaining Full-Text Index
Keep in mind that you have to maintain your Full-Text Index. For instance, if you want to update a full-text index, you can do so with the following command:
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ALTER FULLTEXT INDEX ON Articles START UPDATE POPULATION; |
Conclusion
With Full-Text Indexing, SQL Server provides a powerful tool for searching text across your SQL Server databases. Start implementing Full-Text Indexing in your SQL Server applications to enhance search capabilities and improve the overall user experience.